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The Portland Walking Guide

Portland was the second city in the US to organize pedestrian advocacy with the founding of the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition (now Oregon Walks) in 1991.

In Portland over 32% of trips to school are on foot, compared to 11% nationally. (Source: Portland Safe Routes to School, 2013 data)

Portland has 165 public staircases with about 9,000 public steps. (Source: Portland’s Little Red Book of Stairs by Stefana Young and Robin Davis)

Take the Portland Pedestrian Safety Quiz!Test your pedestrian safety awareness and know-how at LookBeforeCrossing.org.Individuals with a Portland address have a chance to receive a FREE reflective tote bag.

For Your Community

Walking is a great way to connect with neighbors and get to know yourneighborhood. Discover beautiful gardens, pocket parks, local shopsand interesting architecture.

A neighborhood where people walk is a place where people arewatching out for each other.

For the Environment

Walking is great for the environment, too.

If the average American walked to work or to shopjust once every two weeks instead of driving, close to1 billion gallons of gasoline pollutants would be preventedfrom entering the atmosphere every year.— COMMUTERCHOICE.HARVARD.EDU

If we all swapped one car journey a week for walkinginstead, car traffic levels would reduce by at least 10%.— SUSTRANS 2009

No matter how we get around, we are all pedestriansat one time or another every day.

Types of Legal Crosswalks

A crosswalk exists at any public street intersection, including “T” intersections, whether marked with paint or unmarked. (ORS 801.220)

Crosswalks also exist between intersections (mid-block), but only if they are marked with white lines.

Pedestrians are only allowed to cross mid-block at an unmarked crossing if they are more than 150 feet from a marked or unmarked crosswalk. (Portland City Code 16.70.210)

Along with stopping for pedestrians at all legal crosswalks, motorists and cyclists also must:

Stop and remain stopped for students as directed by a crossing guard. (ORS 811.124)

Stop and remain stopped for a blind pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog until the pedestrian is completely across the roadway. (ORS 811.035)

Pedestrian Responsibilities

Oregon laws provide protection and opportunity to cross the street safely. At the same time, pedestrians are responsible for acting in a safe manner and crossing legally.

Before crossing, pedestrians must show intent to cross by extending part of their body, wheelchair, cane, crutch or bicycle into the roadway. (ORS 811.028)

Pedestrians need to allow drivers enough time and distance to stop before crossing. (ORS 811.005)

Stay Alert at Two-Lane Crossings

Cross with caution on streets with two or more lanes of vehicles traveling in the same direction. If one vehicle stops for a pedestrian and another vehicle overtakes it on either side, the pedestrian may not be visible and can be hit.

In this situation, you may be blocked from the view of other approaching motorists by a stopped vehicle. Before entering the next lane of traffic, STOP and look to make sure all approaching vehicles have stopped for you before crossing the next lane.

Know Your Signals

LOOK! Have cars stopped? Then go.Watch for turning and oncoming cars.

DON’T START CROSSING! Finish crossing if already in the crosswalk when the signal begins flashing. Countdown signals let pedestrians know how much time remains to cross.

STOP! DON’T LEAVE THE CURB. You are usually mere seconds from a new WALK signal.

Rapid Flash Beacons

Rapid Flash Beacons are installed at specific crossings to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians. When pedestrians activate the push button system, yellow LED lights flash to let drivers know the crosswalk is in use.

After pressing the button make sure vehicles have stopped before crossing the street.

Say Hello to Neighborhood Greenways!

Neighborhood Greenways are residential streets with low speeds and low volumes of auto traffic where bicycles and pedestrians are given priority. They offer many new and exciting facilities to make your walk safer and more enjoyable.

What to expect on a Neighborhood Greenway

Pavement markings, or “sharrows,” alert drivers to expect people bicycling and have improved crossings and curb ramps to make pedestrian mobility safer and more enjoyable.

Speed bumps to help slow auto traffic.

Traffic diverters to keep cars trying to avoid busy main streets from cutting through on neighborhood streets.

City of Portland Disability Program

Aims to connect, support and encourage collaborative civic engagement between people of the disability community, neighborhoods and city government.portlandoregon.gov/oni/28994503-823-9970 | TTY: 503-823-6868

Portland Commission on Disability

The Portland Commission on Disability’s mission is to guide the City in ensuring it is universally accessible for all.portlandoregon.gov/oehr/62222 503-823-4433

Park Accessibility

Search accessibility features of all Portland’s parks, including paved and unpaved paths, distance to amenities, restroom facilities and more.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder503-823-PLAY (7529) | V/TDD: 503-823-2223

Ride Connection

A non-profit, community service organization providing accessible, responsive transportation for people in need. Includes transportation training, door-to-door service and shuttles.rideconnection.org503-226-0700

Access Recreation

A Portland-based ad hoc committee working to develop guidelines about trails and outdoor recreational facilities in Oregon and SW Washington.accessrecreation.org

Oregon Walks

A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting walking and making conditions for walking safe and inviting.oregonwalks.org

Portland Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC)

A forum for residents to be involved in establishing goals and policies for pedestrians in the city. Includes walking and mobility advocates, neighborhood activists, environmental design professionals and residents-at-large.http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/34964 | 503-823-4589

PSU Traffic and Transportation Course

Over 1,000 Portland residents have taken this 10-week class at Portland State University to learn how to negotiate traffic and transportation agencies and issues. Designed for the new or experienced neighborhood activist who wants to make a difference.https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/35727

Safe Routes to School

Resources for schools, parents, caregivers and volunteers that support and encourage students to safely walk and roll to school.Consultations, trainings and materials are available along with assistance to organize Safe Routes activities.

Oregon Walks

A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting walking and making conditions for walking safe and inviting.oregonwalks.org

Portland Commission on Disability

The Portland Commission on Disability’s mission is to guide the City in ensuring it is universally accessible for all.portlandoregon.gov/oehr503-823-4433

Portland Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC)

A forum for residents to be involved in establishing goals and policies for pedestrians in the city. Includes walking and mobility advocates, neighborhood activists, environmental design professionals and residents-at-large.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/34964503-823-4589

PSU Traffic and Transportation Course

Over 1,000 Portland residents have taken this 10-week class at Portland State University to learn how to negotiate traffic and transportation agencies and issues. Designed for the new or experienced neighborhood activist who wants to make a difference.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/35727

Safe Routes to School

Resources for schools, parents, caregivers and volunteers that support and encourage students to safely walk and roll to school. Consultations, trainings and materials are available along with assistance to organize Safe Routes activities.saferoutesportland.org

Active Right Of Way (AROW)

A community of advocates, activists and professionals dedicated to safe, equitable and responsible use of the public right of way in Portland.activerightofway.org

America Walks

A national coalition of local advocacy groups dedicated to promoting walkable communities.americawalks.org

Oregon Pedestrian Legal Guide

“A Legal Guide for Persons on Foot,” written by local lawyer Ray Thomas. An essential resource for knowing your rights and responsibilities as a pedestrian.stc-law.com/bikepower.html

Steps to a Walkable Community

A web resource featuring tactics and case studies to help putinnovative, pro-walking information in the hands of residents, planners and engineers.americawalks.org

Trailkeepers of Oregon

A non-profit organization with a mission to inspire action to protect and enhance the Oregon hiking experience through advocacy, stewardship, outreach and education.trailkeepersoforegon.org

Connect the dots to your destination with TriMet, Portland’s public transit system. Assistance and trip planning are available by phone, on the web and with smartphones. Choose which works best for you.

503-238-RIDE (7433)

Get arrival times and service alerts 24 hours a day by phone, or duringbusiness hours for live trip-planning assistance and customer service.(7:30 am - 5:30 pm, M-F)

Text 27299

Receive next arrival times for buses and trains on your phone whenyou text your Stop ID to this number.

Portland Bureau of Transportation

Metro’s Walk There! – 50 Treks In and Around Portland and Vancouver

Discover the region’s natural areas, scenic parks, historic neighborhoods and quaint main streets. Site offers free downloadable PDFs and iPhone apps of walking routes. Also available in Spanish.oregonmetro.gov/walkthere

Portland Parks and Recreation

American Volkssport Association

A nationwide grassroots network of about 300 active Volkssporting clubs. Site includes a list of organized walks by local Rose City Roamers, Cedar Milers, Columbia River Volkssport Club and more.ava.org

Columbia River Orienteering Club

A local club dedicated to providing map and compass orienteering events in Oregon. Hike, walk or run your way through mapped courses ranging from 2km to 15km.

Columbia River Volkssport Club

Forest Park Discovery Hikes

Ongoing and seasonal Forest Park hikes designed to deliver city dwellers into a whole new realm of discovery. Covering a wide variety of topics and terrain for all ages. $10 fee per person per hike unless a FPC member.

Legacy Health Systems: Senior Neighborhood Nature Walks

Walks held monthly on Tuesday mornings except in December. Includes a tour of the lovely Stenzel Healing Garden at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital. Free.Contact Teresia Hazen at 503-413-6507 | thazen@lhs.org

Mazamas

A non-profit mountaineering education organization. Mazamas offers over 800 hikes and 450 climbs annually. A variety of classes and activities, including Street Rambles, are offered for every skill and fitness level. Open to both members and non-members.mazamas.org | 503-227-2345

Oregon Hikers

A community of hikers and outdoor lovers sharing experiences and encouraging steps to the next adventure. A hiking forum and trail resource.oregonhikers.org

Rose Center Walks

A walking program designed with seniors in mind. Generally runs from spring through fall. Call for information. Small fee.Contact David Evans at 503-239-1221

An online educational campaign aimed at getting Americans up and moving. Provides news and resources on walking, health information, walking maps, how to find walking groups and a place to share walking experiences.